A twist in the tale?

Yesterday's drawn match between Bolton and ManU has given Chelsea a good chance to capture this year's EPL. After the draw, Chelsea are just 3 points behind ManU with 3 matches to go. Add to this the fact that the next match of ManU is away at Chelsea, and we might just have an exciting end to this season. Though speaking of Chelsea and exciting in the same breath might be exaggerating to say the least, it cannot be denied that this season has provided its share of thrills and spills.
A team that had the worst start of the season since many years (2 pts of 3 games) , now is in the position of capturing its second successive title and is also in the line for a double.
Talking of which the match at Nou Camp is very important for ManU as Barca are a strong team and it is vital that ManU try to score at least one away goal and prevent Barca from scoring too many. Also Barca's defence is a bit suspect at the moment. So the differential factor will be how Vidic and company handle Messi.

A new era in Cricket ?

IPL has started in a big way a couple of days back. The first match was a totally one sided affair with Kolkata hammering Bangalore to register an emphatic win. As it was disappointing to see Bangalore lose, I was also somewhat happy that the much touted tournament was off to a damp start. If the tournament is a failure it will be a good lesson to the arrogant bosses of the BCCI. They have left no stone unturned in using their power and influence to crush the rebel ICL. ICL meanwhile has been producing some good if not great cricket to provide entertainment.
And thats the USP of IPL too. Entertainment. Not superstars performing or cheergirls but the players dishing out an exciting fare. I have a feeling IPL will fail on that count.

As of now my ideas are turning a bit true. In two more matches played yesterday, only one provided some semblance of a fight. The other one was also one sided.

Red Devils almost there

Man Utd have taken another step to repeat their EPL victory of last year. They did this in the best possible fashion for a ManU fan by beating Arsenal 2-1. Though they were not at their best and failed to produce the big match form that has been their style this season. But thankfully they did not have to pay a price in terms of points, though their performance will require some thinking if they have to really win this.

Arsenal begin as they did against Pool last week, by firing on all cylinders. They put the United defence, missing Nemanja Vidic under a lot of pressure. This ploy would have worked if they were some more accurate with their finishing. United, it appeared were in a disarray by the constant attacks but somehow held their nerve and began counter attacks of their own. It made for fascinating stuff and by half time the honours were even.

Arsenal stuck quickly in the second half through Adebayour and it looked like United would have to really pull their socks. But like it happened against Pool, after Arsenal took a vital goal, they conceded a penalty. Amidst high drama when he was asked to take the penalty twice, Ronaldo scored. 1-1

This brought the crucial time in the game, the time after a hour. ManU made two changes. Tevez and Anderson brought an attacking nature to the game. Arsenal were stringing passes but were no longer appearing too threatening. United kept attacking and got a free kick just outside the Arsenal box. Hargreaves scored the goal through a wonderful free kick. 2-1!!

Wenger brought on Theo Walcott and suddenly there appeared a new edge to Arsenal. Wonder why he is not starting games though. ManU did well to prevent the gunners from scoring and ended high and dry.

All in all, a wonderful game and no one deserved to lose. Arsenal threw away the lead yet again and ended second best.

So ManU are truly on to winning their second consecutive title after the worst start to their season in many years while Arsenal who started on a dream note are to end their season empty handed.

Update

After waiting for more than a month, I finally got home connectivity... I think this will help in doing my office work from home (if needed ) and also help in reviving my blogging which has gone dormat for a long time.
India lost the match to SA by an innings and 90 runs. One of the most humiliating defeats in recent times. Hope that this will not make BCCI to start focusing on slow pitches again.
EPL has shown that it has some more surprises in store. Middlesbrough did Chelsea and Arsenal a huuuuge favour by holding ManU to a draw. This after Arsenal and Pool played out a 1-1 draw and Chelsea won. With the blues 3 pts behind ManU and 3 pts ahead of the Gunners and with both to play ManU we are in for an exciting finish.
Another good result for Ferrari as they finished 1-2 in Bahrain. They seem to be coming together after a bad start in the Australian GP.